Roinn Cosanta. Bureau of Military
COSANTA. ROINN MILITARY HISTORY, 1913-21. BUREAU OF STATEMENT BY WITNESS. 1481. DOCUMENT NO. W.S. Witness Patrick O'Sullivan, Garryspillane, Knocklong, Co. Limerick. Identity. III Brigade, Quartermaster, Skibbereen Battalion, Cork I.R.A. Subject. Activities of Skibbereen Battalion, Cork Brigade, I.R.A., 1917-1921, III Flying Column, 1920-1921. and Brigade Conditions, ifany, Stipulated by Witness. Nil. S.2800. File No FormB.S.M.2 STATEMENTBY PATRICK O'SULLIVAN, Carryspillane, Knocklong, Co. Limerick. I was born at Coolnagrane, Skibbereen, in May, 1900. My parents were farmers. I was educated at Skibbereen National School and at Ross Diocesan Seminary, which I left in 1918, having obtained Senior Grade Intermediate and Matriculation Certificates. My brother Gearóid, who was later to become Adjutant General, Irish Republican Army, took part in the Easter Week Rising and, following same, was deported to Frongoch. As a result I was keenly interested at an early age in the National movement. My home was raided on several occasions following Easter Week. While on my school holidays during the years 1916 and 1917, I assisted in the collection of funds for the National Aid Fund which was being raised to help the relatives of those on the Republican side who had been killed, imprisoned or wounded during the Rebellion. When the Irish Volunteers were reorganised in Skibbereen in the summer of 1917, I joined the local Company although I was still at school. I took part in all activities of the unit while I was in the area during my holidays. At this time, we were mainly engaged on close order foot drill, and on route marches to neighbouring areas on Sunday evenings.
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